the thesis is growing (slowly)

Technical Summary

The Technical study has two primary focuses

i) Longevity

ii) Growth

Longevity

The aim of this  part of the Technical Report is to understand the structural, material, formal and organizational principles and strategies that that can predetermine a structure intended for Long Timescales. The aim of the project is to execute this agenda with the structual elegance and technological sophistication that befits our technological generation, rather than through mass and bulk.  The principles of Longevity are examined through a careful study of historical precedents of buildings which have mainted longevity and those which have failed. 

Because of the intention for long timescale, the project must be able to exist without reliance on any materials or technology that do not last for long (such as Glass), or mechanical/technological systems, that can potentially fail. Therefore it must resolve all of its criteria, including lighting, air movement and circulation with only the permanent language of stone and concrete. The project will examine this through the application of Ultra High Performance Concrete and the technoques derived from fabric re-inforced concrete members.

Growth

The technical challenge of concrete is its lack of growth potential. The agenda of this portion of the Technical Study, are 

i) to test and understand through scale casting models, the construction process of fabric formed hollow structural tubes which are used as the main structural, circulatory, and light system within the building. 

ii) to create through physical test models, astrategy for structural growth of concrete members using fabric formed and fabric re-inforced concrete. Inculding the addition and connection of additional members to existing structures, and the stregthening of existing members.